Heavy Haul Trucking Companies – The Cases for And Against Speed Limiters

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Speed limiters have been the topic of increased debate among those in the trucking industry. A rule mandating speed limiters, devices that put a hard limit on the top speed a vehicle can reach, was proposed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration in December. If approved, the rule would set a limit on truck speeds at somewhere between 60 and 68 mph. Many heavy haul trucking companies are in disagreement as to whether the proposed rule is harmful or beneficial to the industry.

Cases for and against the proposed speed limiter rule make a variety of arguments from numerous points of view. In many instances, the point of view an individual has adopted relies on the types of heavy haul trucking companies they are part of. The decision will ultimately rest with the FMCSA, but it has been considering a great deal of the input expressed by interested parties.

Arguments for the Speed Limiter Rule

It is no secret that speed makes any vehicle accident more serious. One of the arguments for the speed limiter rule is that a hard limit on speed will translate into a reduction in the severity and incidence of any trucking accidents that might occur.

Another point for the speed limiter mandate is that the FMCSA believes it would reduce the emission of greenhouse gasses through reducing the amount of fuel trucks use. This could have a big impact on reducing the amount of the country’s overall carbon emissions.

Arguments against the Speed Limiter Rule

Many of the arguments against the speed limiter mandate also address safety concerns. On many highways across the country, the speed limit is well above the speed allowed by the limiters. This means trucks will be forced to be slower than other traffic. Many truck drivers argue this will cause people to make dangerous maneuvers to get around them, making roadways less safe as a result.

Truck drivers also argue that a forced speed limit will reduce the options available to them in times of danger. Sometimes, the best solution to a hazard on the roadway is to go faster rather than slow down. Removing that option from a truck driver’s toolkit can put more people at risk.

They also claim that the limit to the maximum speed will hurt their bottom lines. The United States is a big country, and every reduction in velocity will add up over time. Deliveries will take longer to complete, which will result in more trucks on the road, counteracting any fuel and emissions savings that the rule may have created.

Contact a Heavy Haul Trucking Company

Regardless of whether or not the rule stands, people are still going to need their heavy haul cargo delivered, and heavy haul trucking companies will still have a lot of work to do. To speak with a professional heavy haul trucking company, call LTA Logistics at (888) 502-0582.